Workforce Accommodation

MV Isabelle 

Woodfibre LNG is committed to avoiding impacts and maximizing local benefits for the community during the Project’s construction phase. While local workers from Squamish and the Sea to Sky Corridor will travel to and from the Project site daily by boat, workers from outside the region are required to be housed at site in a floating worker accommodation – the “floatel”.

The floatel was specifically selected to be responsive to the concerns of the community and the Squamish Nation, and to promote a safe and culturally inclusive work environment, and to ensure no impacts on the Squamish housing market or community services and infrastructure.

A Partnership for Local Opportunity

Vancouver based, Bridgemans Services Group, is working in a joint entity with Squamish Nation’s economic development arm, Nch’ḵay̓, to supply the floatel. Bridgemans has extensive experience providing floating workforce accommodation solutions for industrial projects in Canada and around the world. The Squamish Nation has endorsed Bridgemans as the project’s floatel operator, and Bridgemans will provide Squamish Nation members with access to training and employment while the floatel serves the Woodfibre LNG project.

Premium Accommodations

The floatel, the MV Isabelle, will be moored at the Woodfibre Project site, limiting the need for workers to transport to and from site during their 14-day shift rotations. Workers will be transported to and from the floatel from the lower mainland after their rotation. The floatel will offer a premium live-work environment, including:

  • 652 guest rooms with private ensuites.
  • Catered dining and lunch areas.
  • Outdoor and sports lounge.
  • Meeting rooms and offices.
  • 8,000 square foot fitness facility.
  • Billiards and games room.
  • Laundry rooms.

State-of-the-art Technology

The MV Isabelle is a modern, self-contained, 35,000-grosse-tonne vessel with state-of-the-art sewage, water and power services that meet or exceed Canadian and provincial regulations. The vessel has been designed with numerous innovative technologies, including:

  • Renewable onshore electrical power from BC Hydro.
  • Six industrial sized electric heat pumps, the first time this has been used for this purpose on a vessel of this nature. This means the MV Isabelle will not use diesel boilers.
  • Water treatment system to provide drinking water to residents via dispenser into reusable water bottles.
  • Onboard, state-of-the-art sewage treatment system with mechanical screening, ultrafiltration and low intensity UV. Treated sewage will be shipped to appropriate waste management facilities in B.C.

Safe and Inclusive

The floatel promotes safety and inclusiveness for a diverse workforce. All workers receive a welcome package outlining expected behaviours, sign a Project Code of Conduct and are subject to Woodfibre LNG’s zero tolerance bullying and harassment policy. Specific safety and security measures include:

  • Controlled access with a turnstile and RFID card monitored by an attendant.
  • Onboard crew available for inspections 24-7.
  • A strict code of conduct that details expected standards onboard.
  • A fire suppression system that meets all Canadian and international marine safety standards.
  • Onboard first aid clinic.

Once construction of the Woodfibre LNG facility is complete, the floatel will be removed from site, leaving the location in the same condition it was prior its arrival.